Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown is being moved up to start on Sunday against the Washington Nationals after the team scratched right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) from his scheduled start due to neck discomfort. Brown was previously scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. The 25-year-old will be on a typical four days of rest, so he shouldn't have any limitations on Sunday against the Nats. Brown has an ugly 10.54 ERA (6.67 FIP) and 2.78 WHIP with 10 walks and 11 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings in his four starts for Houston, but he did have his first quality start in his last outing against the Atlanta Braves, when he gave up two runs with three walks and three K's in six innings on April 16. Brown will be hoping to make it two straight strong outings on Sunday.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Saturday. Pivetta will next throw an up-and-down session on Thursday in Cleveland and then throw live batting practice as he works his way back from an elbow injury that landed him on the injured list. The 31-year-old will then probably need to go on a short minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Boston's starting rotation. The former fourth-round pick of the Washington Nationals in 2013 out of New Mexico Junior College looked great in his first two starts for the Red Sox this year, allowing just one earned run on eight hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out 13 in 11 innings pitched. Fantasy managers that are stashing him right now can only hope he'll be just as effective once he returns from his elbow ailment.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) had an MRI exam on Thursday morning that showed a bone bruise and no structural damage in his left knee, which he tweaked making a play on defense in Tuesday's loss. He sat out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but manager Alex Cora told reporters on Saturday that the team is aiming for Devers to return on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians. The Red Sox have a scheduled off day on Monday, so the club is hoping the 27-year-old will be feeling better by Tuesday. If he's not, he could join first baseman Triston Casas (rib) on the injured list, which would really put the team's infield in a bind. With both Devers and Casas hurt, Bobby Dalbec is going to see regular playing time, making him worth a short-term pickup in AL-only leagues.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (illness) remains out of the starting lineup on Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. India was removed from Saturday's 7-5 win over the Halos due to illness and he's apparently still not feeling well enough to play. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now and check back to see if he's feeling good enough to play on Monday against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Santiago Espinal is starting at the keystone and is hitting eighth on Sunday, while shortstop Elly De La Cruz is in the two-hole against Angels right-hander Jose Soriano. India so far hasn't benefitted from Matt McLain's (oblique) injury, as he's hitting just .174 (12-for-69) with no home runs, four RBI and 17 strikeouts in his first 19 contests in 2024. Espinal has no career at-bats against Soriano, while De La Cruz didn't record a hit in his lone at-bat against him.

The St. Louis Cardinals optioned outfielder Victor Scott II and right-hander Andre Pallante to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday and recalled catcher Pedro Pages and right-hander Nick Robertson from Memphis in corresponding moves. Scott, the club's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, went 0-for-3 in the 12-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday and hasn't reached base since April 12. The 23-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2022 out of West Virginia made the team's Opening Day roster due to injuries to Tommy Edman (wrist), Dylan Carlson (shoulder) and Lars Nootbaar, but he recorded hits in just five of his first 65 trips to the plate in the big leagues with two walks and 15 strikeouts. Scott is worth stashing in dynasty/keeper leagues, but it's clear he needs some more minor-league seasoning.